The shocking video was released by the Upper Darby Police Department on Monday. It shows a daycare worker, 52-year-old Sarah Gable, allegedly push a small child down a flight of stairs. At one point, Gable looks directly at the camera that had just been installed about 30 minutes prior.
Police were called to the Child of the Future daycare centre around 5:20 p.m. Friday in regards to an assault on a child. An officer who responded to the call viewed the surveillance footage and placed Gable under arrest.
The former worker at the centre was charged with simple assault, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment. According to police she will also likely be charged with reckless endangerment. Upon her arrest, Gable was fired from her job at Child of the Future. The daycare centre is located in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia.
Gable was apparently struggling with the child before the push. The video shows the little girl falling rather quickly down some stairs after the worker allegedly pushed her. After she reaches the landing, Gable is seen taking her by the hand and going down more stairs. While on the landing, Gable looks straight into the camera.
Another daycare employee, Shawayne Tavares, was monitoring the camera when the alleged incident occurred. Tavares rushed over and confronted Gable, asking her what she was doing and saying we don’t do things like that. Tavares said it hurt to watch the video and it still hurts.
Although the four-year-old complained her knee hurt, there were no other visible injuries. The little girl returned to the daycare on Monday although Tavares said she was terrified of the stairs.
Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood described what happened as “…a horrific act, an act of betrayal.” He also said children are entrusted to people who are certified and who should treat them as their own.
Chitwood also praised the daycare centre for quickly notifying police. The Child of the Future also notified all parents of what happened and advised Gable had been fired. One parent was shocked by what happened because he considered Gable to be one of the best teachers at the daycare facility.
Gable has been released on $25,000 bail and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Mar. 16. Police do not have a motive for the alleged assault against the child.
